Your Popular HVAC FAQs & Answers

What does HVAC stand for?

HVAC is a shortened term for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. Generally, it involves the entire heating and cooling system, consisting of all of the ductwork, humidification controls, air filters, registers, and more.

My AC unit isn’t working. Now what?

You may want to check your electrical breakers to make sure they are not tripped. If not, contact us today for our earliest appointment to get you up and running again.

How can I cut back on utility costs?

There are many ways to cut back on utilities and we are proud to offer multiple options on utility saving equipment. You should also check on your attic insulation and seal all of your window to prevent air loss. You can also change your thermostat to curb costs. Read our blog on “Air Conditioning Bills High? Try a Different Thermostat” for more information on this.

Do maintenance check ups really matter?

Of course it matters! Would you drive your car without changing the oil and filters. Your AC system is a mechanical piece of equipment that requires regular maintenance checkups from a professional. By scheduling service checkups for your HVAC, you can keep your cooling/heating system clean and in good working condition. Remaining on top of maintenance can help you avoid inconvenient outages that will be very costly. Not to mention, your system will run more efficiently, lasting even longer! Contact us today and ensure a cool tomorrow!

What is the proper size HVAC system for my home?

There is not a one-size-fits-all answer to this because there is not a one-size-fits-all HVAC system out there. A proper size HVAC system for your home can only be determined by looking at several different factors including amount of space, placement, climate, insulation, and more.

There are many tools to help you figure out these things on your own, but in the end, only a professional may conduct an effective load calculation that helps identify an HVAC system that fits your home and budget. For more information, take a look at our blog “What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need?” or call the technicians at BR McGinty to come and assess your home.

Why is water leaking from my air conditioner?

If you are experiencing leaking or dripping around your AC unit, it could be attributed to any number of issues:

The drain line is clogged

The evaporator coil is dirty, has holes, or is frozen

There are installation errors

These problems might be fixed with a simple cleaning, but sometimes they require more attention or professional treatment. For more information on the above issues, read our blog “Why Does My AC Unit Leak When I Use it?”

Why does my furnace and air conditioner have poor air flow?

Poor air flow can be for a number of reasons including:

A dirty air filter or blower wheel

A slow motor

A stopped up or dirty evaporator coil

Problems with the ductwork, like a leak, a blockage, insufficient installation, and an undersized or oversized duct

Blocked vents

Issues with the thermostat

In the summer or winter when you need your HVAC system to work most effectively, you may run into an issue due to one of the above causes that could leave you feeling uncomfortable in your own home. If you can’t figure out the cause of the problem, have us come and diagnose it for you.

Will a larger air conditioner have better air flow? What about a larger blower motor?

Bigger does not necessarily mean better. Having a disproportionately large air conditioner sometimes won’t supply uniform temperatures or it will waste energy (and your money) by cycling on and off too quickly. The same goes for a blower motor.

If you feel like your home is not cooling down fast enough or there is poor airflow, before you go with the bigger option that might be inefficient for your system, we would first recommend a simple cleaning of the evaporator coil. If that does not help, then call a professional for a diagnosis before you decide that a bigger option might solve your problems.